www.uspto.gov
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`Address: COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450
`
`17/601, 106
`
`10/04/2021
`
`Richard E. Raby
`
`82041US005
`
`3007
`
`Solventum Intellectual Properties Company
`2510 Conway Ave E
`3M Center, 275-6E-21
`St Paul, MN 5514
`
`CONNELL, JENNIFER PETSCHE
`
`3772
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`NOTIFICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`05/22/2024
`
`ELECTRONIC
`
`Please find below and/or attached an Office communication concerning this application or proceeding.
`
`The time period for reply, if any, is set in the attached communication.
`
`Notice of the Office communication was sent electronically on above-indicated "Notification Date" to the
`following e-mail address(es):
`
`IPDocketing @ Solventum.com
`
`PTOL-90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`

`

`Application No.
`Applicant(s)
`17/601,106
`Rabyetal.
`
`Office Action Summary Art Unit|AIA (FITF)StatusExaminer
`JENNIFER P CONNELL
`3772
`Yes
`
`
`
`-- The MAILING DATEof this communication appears on the cover sheet with the correspondence address --
`Period for Reply
`
`A SHORTENED STATUTORYPERIOD FOR REPLYIS SET TO EXPIRE 3 MONTHS FROM THE MAILING
`DATE OF THIS COMMUNICATION.
`Extensionsof time may be available underthe provisions of 37 CFR 1.136(a). In no event, however, may a reply betimely filed after SIX (6) MONTHSfrom the mailing
`date of this communication.
`If NO period for reply is specified above, the maximum statutory period will apply and will expire SIX (6) MONTHSfrom the mailing date of this communication.
`-
`- Failure to reply within the set or extended period for reply will, by statute, cause the application to become ABANDONED (35 U.S.C. § 133).
`Any reply received by the Office later than three months after the mailing date of this communication, evenif timely filed, may reduce any earned patent term
`adjustment. See 37 CFR 1.704(b).
`
`Status
`
`
`
`1) Responsive to communication(s)filed on 18 April 2024.
`C) A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/werefiled on
`2a)[¥) This action is FINAL.
`2b) (J This action is non-final.
`3) An election was madeby the applicant in responseto a restriction requirement set forth during the interview
`on
`; the restriction requirement and election have been incorporated into this action.
`4)(2) Since this application is in condition for allowance except for formal matters, prosecution as to the merits is
`closed in accordance with the practice under Exparte Quayle, 1935 C.D. 11, 453 O.G. 213.
`
`Disposition of Claims*
`1,12-13,16-19,21 and 26-35 is/are pending in the application.
`)
`Claim(s)
`5a) Of the above claim(s) _ is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`C} Claim(s)__ is/are allowed.
`Claim(s) 1,12-13,16-19,21 and 26-35 is/are rejected.
`(] Claim(s)__ is/are objectedto.
`C] Claim(s
`are subjectto restriction and/or election requirement
`)
`* If any claims have been determined allowable, you maybeeligible to benefit from the Patent Prosecution Highway program at a
`participating intellectual property office for the corresponding application. For more information, please see
`http://www.uspto.gov/patents/init_events/pph/index.jsp or send an inquiry to PPHfeedback@uspto.gov.
`
`) ) ) )
`
`Application Papers
`10)( The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
`11)(¥ The drawing(s) filed on 18 April 2024 is/are: a)() accepted or b)f¥) objected to by the Examiner.
`Applicant may not request that any objection to the drawing(s) be held in abeyance. See 37 CFR 1.85(a).
`Replacement drawing sheet(s) including the correction is required if the drawing(s) is objected to. See 37 CFR 1.121(d).
`
`Priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119
`12)£) Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d)or (f).
`Certified copies:
`_—_c)L) None ofthe:
`b)L) Some**
`a)Q) All
`1.1) Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`2.1.) Certified copies of the priority documents have been received in Application No. |
`3.2.) Copies of the certified copies of the priority documents have been receivedin this National Stage
`application from the International Bureau (PCT Rule 17.2(a)).
`*“ See the attached detailed Office action for a list of the certified copies not received.
`
`Attachment(s)
`
`1)
`
`Notice of References Cited (PTO-892)
`
`2) (J Information Disclosure Statement(s) (PTO/SB/08a and/or PTO/SB/08b)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`
`3)
`
`4)
`
`(LJ Interview Summary (PTO-413)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date
`(Qj Other:
`
`PTOL-326 (Rev. 11-13)
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Part of Paper No./Mail Date 20240425
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/601, 106
`Art Unit: 3772
`
`Page 2
`
`DETAILED ACTION
`
`Notice of Pre-AlA or AIA Status
`
`The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the
`
`first inventor to file provisions of the AIA.
`
`Response to Amendment
`
`The amendmentfiled April 18, 2024 has been entered. Claims 2-11, 14-15, 20, and 22-
`
`25 have been canceled. Claims 1, 12, 13, and 16 have been amended. Claims 26-35 have been
`
`added. Claims 1, 12-13, 16-19, 21, and 26-35 remain pending. Applicant's amendmentsto the
`
`Specification, Drawings, and Claims have overcome every objection previously set forth in the
`
`Non-Final Office Action mailed January 25, 2024. The 112(b) rejections previously set forth in
`
`that Non-Final Office Action are withdrawn because the claims to which they applied have been
`
`canceled.
`
`Drawings
`
`The drawings are objected to becausethelead line for reference character 609C in
`
`Figure 12 has been removed and needsto be replaced. Corrected drawing sheets in
`
`compliance with 37 CFR 1.121(d) are required in reply to the Office action to avoid
`
`abandonmentof the application. Any amended replacement drawing sheet should include all of
`
`the figures appearing on the immediateprior version of the sheet, even if only one figure is
`
`being amended. The figure or figure number of an amended drawing should not be labeled as
`
`“amended.” If a drawing figure is to be canceled, the appropriate figure must be removed from
`
`the replacement sheet, and where necessary, the remaining figures must be renumbered and
`
`appropriate changes made to the brief description of the several views of the drawings for
`
`consistency. Additional replacement sheets may be necessary to show the renumbering of the
`
`remaining figures. Each drawing sheet submitted afterthe filing date of an application must be
`
`labeled in the top margin as either “Replacement Sheet” or “New Sheet” pursuant to 37 CFR
`
`1.121(d). If the changes are not accepted by the examiner, the applicant will be notified and
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/601, 106
`Art Unit: 3772
`
`Page 3
`
`informed of any required corrective action in the next Office action. The objection to the
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`drawings will not be held in abeyance.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
`
`In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C.
`
`102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AlA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103)is incorrect, any correction of the
`
`statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AlA) for the rejection will not be considered a new
`
`ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would
`
`be the same under either status.
`
`The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the
`
`basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
`
`A person shall be entitled to a patent unless —
`
`(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use,
`on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effectivefiling date of the claimed
`invention.
`
`Claims 1, 12, 13, 16, 19, 26, 28, 29, and 21 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as
`
`being anticipated by Kopelman (US 2016/0310236).
`
`Regarding Claim 1, Kopelman discloses a removable dental appliance (appliances
`
`1000, 1100, 1200, 1400, 1570, 1600, 1700, 1800, 2600, 2610; paragraph [0376] states that the
`
`multiple embodiments presented can be combined) comprising:
`
`an appliance body configured to at least partially surround a plurality of teeth of a
`
`patient, the appliance body defining a shell configured to receive a tooth of the plurality of teeth
`
`in an initial position (paragraph [0009], example appliance body and shells shown in Figure 1A,
`
`but appliance body and shell are present in all the removable dental appliances presented); and
`
`a bendable flap (flap 1114, 1208, 1406, 1572, 2604, 2612; protrusion 1002, 1602, 1702,
`
`1802 surrounded by discontinuities making them into curvedflaps; flaps and protrusions are
`
`shown to bend around the associated hinge axis in multiple figures including but not only Figure
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/601, 106
`Art Unit: 3772
`
`Page 4
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`16) integrally formed with the appliance body (flaps and protrusions above are formed by
`
`discontinuities in the appliance shell while remaining attached on one side, therefore they are
`
`integrally formed with the appliance body) to extend from a hinge axis of the shell (the side of
`
`the flap that remains attachedto the shell is the hinge axis), wherein the bendable flap defines a
`
`flap boundary region extending fromafirst end of the hinge axis around the bendable flap to a
`
`second end of the hinge axis (region around the exterior of the flap), and wherein the boundary
`
`region comprises a void betweenthe flap and the body (region around the exterior of the flap
`
`wherethe flap and the shell are not a continuous pieceis a void), and an arcuate member
`
`(elastic members 1010, 1116, 1210, 1408, 1582, 1610, 1710, 1812; paragraph [0210] provides
`
`options for elastic members) that includes.
`
`a jumper(paragraph [0158] describes multiple possible forms for the elastic members,
`
`some of which could be considered jumpers) comprising an elongated structure extending
`
`within the void betweena first end coupled to the shell and a second end coupled to the
`
`bendable flap (paragraph [0204] describes elastic member 1408 as being joined to the edgesof
`
`flap 1406 and the corresponding edgesof the shell at receptacle 1404; while elastic member
`
`1408 is described as being a membrane or mesh, paragraph [0158] lists other possible elastic
`
`members that would be classified as jumpers and paragraph [0376] states the multiple
`
`embodiments presented can be combined), wherein a medial portion of the jumper extends
`
`substantially in the plane of the shell (Figure 14A showselastic member 1408 is in plane with
`
`the flap and edges of the receptable on the shell until it is stretched by being worn by a patient
`
`as in Figure 14B), wherein the jumper comprises at least one of an arc, zig-zag, sinusoid, spiral
`
`(paragraph [0158] provides for elastic members being springs, which are a spiral and could be
`
`considered a jumper), helix, or serpentine shape extending betweenthe first end and the
`
`second end of the jumper,
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/601, 106
`Art Unit: 3772
`
`Page 5
`
`wherein the bendable flap and the arcuate member are configured to apply a force to the
`
`tooth to cause movementof the tooth toward a desired position when the removable dental
`
`appliance is worn by the patient (paragraphs [0125] and [0162)).
`
`Regarding Claim 12, Kopelman further discloses wherein the jumper defines a cross-
`
`section in a plane perpendicularto a longitudinal axis of the elongated structure of the jumper,
`
`and wherein the shape, area, or aspectratio of the cross-section varies along the longitudinal
`
`axis (paragraphs [0158] and [0164] state that characteristics of the elastic member can be
`
`changed to exert forces needed for the desired tooth movement and the characteristics can also
`
`vary within the elastic member; some characteristics mentioned include shape, area, and cross
`
`section).
`
`Regarding Claim 13, Kopelman further discloses wherein the jumper is under a bending
`
`stress or a twisting stress when the removable dental appliance is worn by the patient (Figure
`
`17B showsthe appliance whenit is not worn, with elastic member 1710 in a straight line; Figure
`
`17C showsthe appliance whenit is worn by the patient and elastic member 1710 is under
`
`bending stress).
`
`Regarding Claim 16, Kopelman further discloses wherein the jumper comprises a
`
`plurality of jumpers, wherein each respective jumper of the plurality of jumpers comprises a
`
`respective elongated structure extending between a respectivefirst end coupled to a respective
`
`position on the shell and a respective second end coupled to a respective position on the
`
`bendable flap (paragraph [0164] states the numberof elastic members can be chosen to exert
`
`the neededforces; paragraph [0159] states the elastic members can be coupledto shell in
`
`various configurations)
`
`Regarding Claim 19, Kopelman further discloses wherein a rest position of the bendable
`
`flap intrudes into a space defined by the tooth in the desired position of the tooth (Figure 16B,
`
`paragraphs [0194]), and
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/601, 106
`Art Unit: 3772
`
`Page 6
`
`wherein the bendable flap is displaced into a deformed position to cause the force when
`
`the removable dental appliance is worn by the patient (Figure 16C, paragraphs [0194]).
`
`Regarding Claim 26, Kopelman further discloses wherein the hinge axis includes one or
`
`moreslots in the body (biasing features 2604, 2614 are perforated lines through the hinge;
`
`paragraph[021 7]).
`
`Regarding Claim 28, Kopelman further discloses wherein the jumper is arranged in the
`
`void on a side of the bendable flap opposite the hinge axis (elastic member 1806 is opposite the
`
`hinge, according to paragraph [0154] a type of elastic member could be chosen that would be
`
`classified as a jumper).
`
`Regarding Claim 29, Kopelman further discloses wherein the void extends around
`
`substantially the entire flap boundary region (Figure 14A showsthat the void extends about the
`
`entire flap boundary region from one end of the hinge to the other).
`
`Regarding Claim 21, Kopelman discloses a system (Figure 1B of tooth repositioning
`
`system with a plurality of appliances 112, 114, 116) comprising an ordered set of removable
`
`dental appliances configured to reposition one or moreteeth of a patient (Figures 1B, 1C;
`
`paragraphs [0121-0124]), at least one removable dental appliance in the set of removable
`
`dental appliances comprising the removable dental appliance of claim 1 (removable dental
`
`appliance of claim 1
`
`is presented above).
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness
`
`rejections set forth in this Office action:
`
`A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed
`invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the
`claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have
`been obvious before the effectivefiling date of the claimed invention to a person having
`ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be
`negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/601, 106
`Art Unit: 3772
`
`Page 7
`
`Claim 27 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kopelman
`
`(US 2016/0310236).
`
`Regarding Claim 27, Kopelman further discloses wherein the body, flap, and jumper are
`
`formed of the same material (paragraphs [0146] and [0147] state that the body, flap, and elastic
`
`membercan befabricated concurrently and that such a direct fabrication technique could
`
`optionally have multiple materials, sinceit is optionally multiple materials it could also be the
`
`same material). While Kopelman may not state explicitly that the parts are formed integrally, it
`
`doesstate that the parts can be fabricated concurrently (paragraphs [0147]), that they can be
`
`made outof the same material (as explained above), and that the elastic member can be
`
`permanently affixed to the shell (paragraph [0159]). Kopelman also states that the elastics can
`
`be coupled to the shell and/or flap by any suitable methods (paragraph [0196])
`
`Therefore it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to form the parts
`
`integrally. Kopelman already teaches that they can be formed concurrently and permanently
`
`attached together, and it has been held that "that the use of a one piece construction instead of
`
`the structure disclosedin [the prior art] would be merely a matter of obvious engineering
`
`choice." /n re Larson, 340 F.2d 965, 968, 144 USPQ 347, 349 (CCPA 1965). See MPEP
`
`2144.04(V)(B). In this case since Kopelman already provides for the elastic memberor jumper
`
`being permanently affixed to the body and flap, it would not change the function of the device.
`
`Claims 17 and 18 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over
`
`Kopelman (US 2016/0310236) in view of Tseng (US 2014/0370452).
`
`Regarding Claim 17, Kopelman discloses the removable dental appliance of claim 1 (as
`
`presented above), wherein the shell comprises an internal surface that defines a void internal to
`
`the shell and shapedto receive the tooth in the desired position (paragraph [0162]). Kopelman
`
`may not explicitly disclose wherein the bendable flap and the arcuate memberare configured to
`
`apply the force to a side of the tooth opposite from the void to cause movementof the tooth
`
`toward the void.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/601, 106
`Art Unit: 3772
`
`Page 8
`
`However, Tseng, in the same field of endeavor of dental appliances for orthodontic
`
`systems (abstract), teaches a void (reserve rooms 3110) opposite the side of the tooth where a
`
`force is applied (via protrusions 32). This void is provided to accommodate movementof the
`
`tooth caused by correcting the tooth placement (paragraph [0009)).
`
`Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the
`
`effectivefiling date of the claimed invention to have modified the removable dental appliance as
`
`disclosed by Kopelman to be arranged with the internal void opposite the structure applying
`
`force to the tooth as taught by Tseng in order to accommodate movementof the tooth asit is
`
`corrected.
`
`Regarding Claim 18, Kopelmanfurther teaches wherein the removable dental appliance
`
`further comprises a second bendable flap integrally formed with the appliance body to extend
`
`from a second hinge axis of the shell, wherein the second bendable flap defines a second
`
`boundary region extending fromafirst end of the second hinge axis around the second
`
`bendable flap to a second end of the second hinge axis, wherein the second boundary region
`
`comprises a second arcuate member(multiple bendable flaps can be formedin a single shell,
`
`for example Figures 18A-C and 19).
`
`Tseng further teach wherein the internal surface of the shell further defines a second
`
`portion of the void, and wherein the second force generating structure is configured to apply a
`
`second force to a second side of the tooth opposite from the secondportion of the void to cause
`
`movementof the tooth toward the secondportion of the void (Figure 7A).
`
`Claims 30-35 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over
`
`Kopelman etal (US 2016/0310236) in view of Phan et al (US 2002/0192617).
`
`Regarding Claim 30, Kopelman discloses a removable dental appliance (appliances
`
`1000, 1100, 1200, 1400, 1570, 1600, 1700, 1800; paragraph [0376] states that the multiple
`
`embodiments presented can be combined) comprising:
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/601, 106
`Art Unit: 3772
`
`Page 9
`
`an appliance body configured to at least partially surround a plurality of teeth of a
`
`patient, the appliance body defining a shell configured to receive a tooth of the plurality of teeth
`
`in an initial position (paragraph [0009], example appliance body and shells shown in Figure 1A,
`
`but appliance body and shell are present in all the removable dental appliances presented); and
`
`a bendable flap (flap 1114, 1208, 1406, 1572; protrusion 1002, 1602, 1702, 1802
`
`surrounded by discontinuities making them into curved flaps; flaps and protrusions are shownto
`
`bend around the associated hinge axis in multiple figures including but not only Figure 16)
`
`integrally formed with the appliance body (flaps and protrusions above are formed by
`
`discontinuities in the appliance shell while remaining attached on one side, therefore they are
`
`integrally formed with the appliance body; paragraph [0147]) to extend from a hinge axis of the
`
`shell (the side of the flap that remains attached to the shell is the hinge axis), wherein the
`
`bendable flap defines a flap boundary region extending fromafirst end of the hinge axis around
`
`the bendable flap to a second endof the hinge axis (region around the exterior of the flap), and
`
`wherein the boundary region comprises a void between the flap and the body
`
`(discontinuity betweenthe flap and the shell is a void), and an arcuate member a spring bellows
`
`(elastic members 1408,1812 in the form of elastic membranes (paragraph [0204]), as shownin
`
`Figures 14A/B and 18B; paragraph [0210] provides options for elastic members),
`
`wherein the spring bellows, bendable flap, and body are formed of the same material
`
`(paragraphs [0146] and [0147]), and
`
`wherein the bendable flap and the arcuate member are configured to apply a force to the
`
`tooth to cause movementof the tooth toward a desired position when the removable dental
`
`appliance is worn by the patient (paragraphs [0125] and [0162)).
`
`Kopelman maynot explicitly disclose the spring bellows extending away from a plane of
`
`the shell or comprising at least one of an arc, zig-zag, sinusoid, spiral, helix, or serpentine
`
`shape.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/601, 106
`Art Unit: 3772
`
`Page 10
`
`However, Phan, in the same field of endeavor of removable dental appliances for
`
`orthodontic systems (paragraph [0004]), teaches a spring bellows (spring 60 comprising a
`
`preformedstrip) extending awayfrom a plane of the shell (Figure 11) and comprising at least
`
`one of an arc (Figure 11 shows spring 60 having an arc shape), zig-zag, sinusoid, a pulsed
`
`wave, or serpentine shape. The spring (60) of Phan is provided to transmit required forces to
`
`one or more teeth (paragraph [0020)).
`
`Additionally, Kopelman teaches that the characteristics of the elastic memberor
`
`membrane can be changedto exert the forces needed for the desired tooth movements, such
`
`characteristics including but notlimited to the shape, area, and cross section of the member
`
`(paragraph [0114)]).
`
`Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the
`
`effectivefiling date of the claimed invention to have modified the spring bellows of the
`
`removable dental appliance as disclosed by Kopelman to be extending away from a plane of the
`
`shell and having an arc shape as taught by Phanin orderto provide the necessary forces for
`
`the desired tooth movements.
`
`Regarding Claim 31, Kopelman further teaches wherein a thickness of the spring
`
`bellows is less than a thicknessof the shell (Figure 16A-C showselastic member 1610 as
`
`thinner than shell 1604 across discontinuity 1608) to at least one of concentrate strain in the at
`
`least one spring bellows or reduce deformation ofthe first shell and the second shell when the
`
`removable dental appliance is worn by the patient (in Figure 16C it can be seen that only elastic
`
`member 1610 deformed, not the surrounding shell).
`
`Regarding Claim 32, Kopelman further teaches wherein a thicknessof the spring
`
`bellows varies along the flap boundary region (paragraph [0114] states that characteristics of
`
`the elastic member can be changedto exert forces needed for the desired tooth movement and
`
`the characteristics can also vary within the elastic member; characteristics mentioned include
`
`thickness).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/601, 106
`Art Unit: 3772
`
`Page 11
`
`Regarding Claim 33, Kopelman further teaches wherein an outer radius of curvature of
`
`the spring bellows varies along the flap boundary region (paragraph [0114] states that
`
`characteristics of the elastic member can be changedto exert forces needed for the desired
`
`tooth movementand the characteristics can also vary within the elastic member; some
`
`characteristics mentioned include shape, area, and cross section).
`
`Regarding Claim 34, Kopelman further teaches wherein the spring bellows defines a
`
`shearreduction region. Figures 26A-D teach features such as perforated lines for causing
`
`preferential bending by creating areas of increased compliance (paragraph [0167]). It would
`
`obvious to one of ordinaryskill in the art to add such features to reduce shearin regions of the
`
`spring bellows as neededto apply the necessary forces for the treatment plan.
`
`Regarding Claim 35, Kopelmanfurther teaches wherein the spring comprises a plurality
`
`of spring bellows, wherein each respective spring bellowsof the plurality of spring bellowsis
`
`disposed along a respective portion of the flap boundary region (paragraph [0114] states that
`
`characteristics of the elastic member can be changed to exert forces needed for the desired
`
`tooth movementand the characteristics can also vary within the elastic member; characteristics
`
`mentioned include number of members).
`
`Response to Arguments
`
`Applicant's arguments with respect to claim(s) 1, 12, 13, 16-19, and 21 have been
`
`considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection necessitated by amendment. The
`
`examiner notes that new reference from inventor Kopelman wasutilized in the aboverejections
`
`(US 2016/0310236 rather than US 2015/0216627), and that this change in grounds of rejection
`
`was necessary due to the amendmentsto the claims adding limitations that the jumper be in the
`
`same plane as the shell and new claims that the jumper or spring bellows beintegral with the
`
`flap and shell.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/601, 106
`Art Unit: 3772
`
`Page 12
`
`Conclusion
`
`Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presentedin this
`
`Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant
`
`is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
`
`A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE
`
`
`
`MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the eventafirst reply is filed within TWO
`
`MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after
`
`the end of the THREE-MONTH shortenedstatutory period, then the shortened statutory period
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`will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any extension fee pursuant to 37
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`Application/Control Number: 17/601, 106
`Art Unit: 3772
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`Page 13
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`https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https:/Awww.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more
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`information about Patent Center and https:/Awww.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about
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`Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA)or 571-272-1000.
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`/JENNIFER P CONNELL/
`Examiner, Art Unit 3772
`/JACQUELINE T JOHANAS/
`Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3772
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`